CM wants protection…

TEAM HERALD

PANJIM: There’s a contradiction in this. Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Tuesday said former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s style of functioning – of being ‘protector’ and ‘saviour’ of his ministers – was not his ‘cup of tea’, but sought that Parrikar should ‘defend and protect’ him in his new innings.

Parsekar also said that he would not interfere in the functioning of his ministers unless and until the circumstances demand or desire.

While announcing that portfolios would be distributed on Friday in consultation with Parrikar, Parsekar, on his first day in office, sent clear signals that his ministers will have to work efficiently and as a team.

“This (governance) is team work and not a government of an individual. Though the chief minister is always above other ministers, I consider myself as one amongst equals,” Parsekar said.

“I don’t want to in the news where it says, that only one person rules,” he commented, pointing out to news reports that claimed that Parrikar was a ‘one man army’. 

Parsekar said he believes that every minister has to work efficiently on the portfolio allocated proving their skills and ability. “Unless the circumstances desire or demand, I will not interfere in the functioning of my ministers. They will have the right to function the way they want, this will give them an opportunity to learn and prove themselves,” he added.

He recalled how Parrikar use to bail out ministers from difficult queries. “I can’t do such things. It is not possible for me,” he said.

Parsekar said he would like to retain most of the portfolios that had been with the previous chief minister. “I won’t keep all the portfolios that Parrikar had, but will retain some major portfolios, which as chief minister I am bound to,” he said, hinting that he might keep mining, finance, education and law. He maintained that he would not keep the portfolios he held in the Parrikar government.

Parsekar refused to divulge details of the cabinet expansion and whether former Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado would be inducted in his cabinet. “Let’s wait till next week,” he said. Along with Parsekar, nine other ministers were sworn in on Saturday. Only Furtado was left out.

While stating that he would carry forward Parrikar’s legacy, Parsekar said he has his own vision, dreams and social welfare schemes for the state’s development. 

“Legacy of Manohar Parrikar and my vision both would be superimposed while running the state in future,” he stated. “One should remember, Manohar Parrikar is Manohar Parrikar and Laxmikant Parsekar is Laxmikant Parsekar. I cannot try to become Parrikar. It won’t be right,” he added.

Admitting that he has several major challenges ahead, he singled out unemployment and job creation for major focus, especially jobs in tourism, pharma and IT.

Parsekar said, “Becoming chief minister of Goa was an unexpected surprise for me.” He said he never thought of becoming chief minister, as for him Parrikar had been the party’s only leader. “While Parrikar was in Goa, the thought of becoming chief minister never came to my mind and hence I had never shown interest in any other portfolio or responsibility apart from what was assigned to me,” he said. “I am proud to say that I am the only chief minister who never lobbied, or demanded, or asked people to vote for me for the post of chief minister.”